Jo - BA(Hons) Primary ITE

Jo is making the most of the advice and
support on offer and working hard to become a good teacher,
but she's having fun at the same time.

Why did you choose to study
at UWE Bristol?

The Open Day did
influence my decision. Everyone was so warm and welcoming, and I
was amazed at the resources and rooms we were given to use to aid
our studying. As I live in Bristol already, I didn’t really want to
stay here as I wanted to explore another city, however I couldn’t
resist the course as it was better than any of the others I’d seen,
and so decided to choose the course over the location; the right
choice I still believe!

What do you like best about your
course?

Having a placement partner was a fantastic
opportunity, one that no other university (I believe) offered.
Having a placement partner beside me gave me the confidence that I
needed when faced with my first ever class! We could bounce ideas
off of each other, share our nerves, boost each other’s
confidences, laugh at our mistakes and help each other when
teaching and planning. It was brilliant fun, made the scary task of
first teaching easier and best of all I got a great friend out of
it!

In what ways have the course
tutors been helpful and supportive?

My tutor is excellent both as a teacher and
supporter. He is there for all of us, patient, funny and
resourceful. Pretty much all the lecturers on our course have
had experience as a teacher, and so we can use their ideas,
accounts of horrifying stories and how they got over them and
genuine enthusiasm to help enrich our own teaching. Many things you
wouldn’t think to do or need at school, which you are fortunately
told about before you go on placement, come up often!

Do you find it easy to fit a
part-time job in with your academic work?

I did not work during my first year. However
through JobShop
I acquired a summer job this year working as a playworker with
children at a summer camp, great fun! This then led me on to the
job I currently hold as a playworker at an
afterschool.

What has been your
experience of UWE's clubs and societies?

I did not join a society in my first year
and I wish I had! It’s a chance to meet new people and try
something new, as well as getting active and fit! This year I have
joined volleyball and trampolining, and it is so much fun and I am
meeting so many new people of all ages, cultures and ethnicity. The
socials are a chance to let your hair down and you aren’t forced to
do anything you don’t want to (eg. be on the first team).